Kingsbridge 329 



some overhanging rocks which form a natural cave, known 

 locally as " Indian cave, " from the tradition that two of Nim- 

 ham's band of Stockbridge Indians hid here from the pursuing 

 troopers of Tarleton after their defeat by Simcoe near Wood- 

 lawn Heights. 



The southern end of the neck was formerly the home tract 

 of George Tippett and his descendants, the Berriens. The 

 old Berrien homestead, though modernized, still stands near 

 the end of the neck, commanding a magnificent view of the 

 Hudson and the northern end of Manhattan. About a quarter 

 of a mile north of it is the Strang house, built originally by a 

 Mr. Cameron within the ramparts of Fort Number One. 

 The house is now occupied by William C. Muschenheim, the 

 proprietor of the Hotel Astor, who, on November 5, 1910, 

 caused a suitable bronze tablet to be unveiled in order to 

 properly mark so historic a spot. Some distance east of 

 Number One is a circular tumulus, the remains of Number 

 Two, the "Fort Swartwout" of the Americans, and the Fort 

 Independence of Sauthier's map. A few yards east of it is 

 the house known as the Warren Sage house, which occupies 

 the site of Number Three, which commanded the King's 

 Bridge, and from which there is a fine view across the valley 

 to the site of the true Fort Independence of the Americans on 

 Fordham ridge. 



The Indian village of Nipnichsen stood on the neck, and 

 very extensive shell mounds still exist below the bluff, show- 

 ing that this was a favorite place of resort of the natives. In 

 1655, while Governor Stuyvesant was absent with the military 

 forces of the colony on his expedition against the Swedish 

 Fort Christina on the Delaware, a band of nine hundred 

 savages crossed over from the Jersey shore and occupied the 

 neck as a post of observation, while two thousand of their 



